Closure for collapsible tubes



t 1,647 215 1 L. J. ELSAS CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed May 20, 1925 inventor fitter um; 5

Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATE LOUIS a. ansas, or ATLANTA, onoaem.

CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES.

Application filed H9320, 1925. Serial No. 31,652.

Generically, this invention relates to 010- ures, but it more especially comprehends a closure adaptable'to containers of the collapsible tube type.

One object of this invention is the provision 'of a self-sealing flexible closure applicable to collapsible tubes adapted to contain shaving cream, tooth paste, toilet cream, toilet waters, and the like.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a closure for colla sible tubes formed of rubber or other flexi le material so constructed as to automatically permit the escape of a certain amount of the contents upon pressure being imparted to said tube, and to automatically operate to cut ofl the flow and to hermetically seal the remaining contents within the tube upon removal of said pressure.

A further object of this invention is the v provision of an automatically operable dispensing self-sealing closure with which the containers may be equipped by the manufacturer, but which may likewise be employed with equal facility by the consumer in place of the metal or other type of cap with which the collapsible tube is usually equipped.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a closure for collapsible tubes formed of rubber and constructed with a detachable inner section or core capable of being snapped into position prior to the application of the closure to the tube.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a flexible closure for collapsible tubes such as above described constructed with a metal slide gate insertible through the wall of said closure preferably at a point coincident with the inner face of the insert to efiect a further seal and prevent unintentional discharge of the contents when the tube is not in use.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures, of which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section of my improved closure operatively positioned, the tube being shown in fragmentary section;-

Fig. 2 is a cross section at right angles to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing a modification in the manner of attaching the closure to the tube;

Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 showing thecontour and relation of parts during discharge of the contents;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the thickened portion showing the relative position of the nodules;

Fig. 6 is a cross section similar to Fig. 3 of a modification showing a detachable section or core and slide gate in operative position; and

Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 6 illustrating a further modified form and showing a different type of insert.

I am aware that many attempts have been made to perfect closures for collapsible tubes, but which have fallen short of the desired attainment by reason of being either too complicated, too expensive to produce, incapable of automatically effecting a hermetical seal, or for other reasons have proven unsatisfactory, and it was for the purpose of providing a resilient or flexible closure capable of utilization in connection with various types of tubes, automatically efiective to dispense the contents of the tube as desired. and to provide when not dispensing a hermetical seal for the tube. one inexpensive to. produce,

.easily installed, capable of repeated use in connection with different tubes. and yet eflicient for the purposes intended, that I designed the closure forming the subject mat-- ter of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing this invention there is shown a clo ure 11 adapted for detachable connection with a collapsible tube (not shown).

The said closure 11 may be formed of any desirable flexible material. but in the present instance is constructed of rubber and is adapted to fit over and effect seal engagemeut with a collapsible tube.

The circumferential edge of the resilient closure 11 at its'open end is formed with a bead 12 adapted to prevent tearing of the side walls when it is being applied to the 7 terior but on the interior formed with a depending centrall positioned thickened portion A, said thic ened portlon being formed with a recess 14, terminating exteriorly in a fine line opening 15, and forming the complemental sections 16 and 17 of the portion A. The sections 16 and 17 are each formed with slight extensions or nodules 19 projecting inwardly in aligned relation from the opposite side walls of the recess 14 to prevent a complete inner sealing of the said recess 14. The annular section 18 of the member 13 surrounding the thickened portion A is adapted in the operation of the device to cooperate with the said portion A for a purpose which will hereinafter more fully appear. In Fi 1 I haveillustrated the preferred form 0 my inventlon formed with a bead 12 hereinafter described and adaptable to any type of tube; however, in some instances it might be desirable to provide a different connection with the tube especially where the latter is formed w1th a threaded neck, and therefore in Fig. 3 1s illustrated a slight modification of Fig. 1, which instead of the bead 12, an inwardly extending flange 20 is provided adapted to firmly secure Within the closure 11 a threaded washer 21 of metal or other suitable material.

It is apparent that when the said washer is screwed on the neck of a tube the closure will be firmly secured in operative position. It is also obvious that the openings in the washers may be varied to accommodate different sized tubes. j

Practice has demonstrated that a puncture or slit in the end of a nipple or similar closure where the side walls and end are of the same thickness and especiall where the end is of a uniform thickness, will not effect this do ect without the emplo an airti ht closure, and it was to overcome ent of a complicated structure or auxiliary sealing means, that I evolved the construction above described, and operating as follows:

When the closure 11 is operatively positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and the contents of the tube forced against the sections 16 and 17 of the thickened portion A, the flexible portion 18 will give sufiicientl to permit the complemental sections 16 an 17 of the portion A to move towards each other, tendmg to close the recess 14 as shown in Fig. 4, but the complete closing of which is prevented by the contacting of the oppositely extending nodules 19 and which action tends to open the slit or openin 15, thereby per-.

mitting the contents to e forced therethrough. However, when the force of the contents of the tube against the sections 16 and 17 is released, the elasticity of the distorted sections will return them to normal position, at the same time effecting an hermetical seal of the opening 15.

. tioni In Fig. 6 a furthermodification is shown wherein the member 13" is thickened outwardly and instead of the portion-A comprising the members 16 and 17, the member 13 is mortised on its inner face asat 22 to receive the dovetail block 23 which may be snapped into position prior to the closure being operatively positioned on the tube,

and which may be of different degrees of operative position during ordinary use of a the tube. The normal operation of this modification is similar to the form illustrated in Fig. 1.

Another modification is illustrated in Fig. 7 wherein the member 13 is substantially similar to Fig. 6 except the mortise is of the double dovetail type to provide an annular projection 25 which insures a better funcof the closure when a compressible force is applied thereto as will hereinafter more fully appear. In this form the recess 14 not only tapers to a fine line openin externally as at 15 but similarly inwar y as at 26.

It will be noted that the operation of this form difi'ers slightly from those heretofore described, in that, both internal and external pressure is necessary to expel the contents of the tube through the opening 15". The pressure of the contents of the tube keeps the opening 26 sealed unless an external pressure, such as the end of the finger or tooth brush, is exerted against the face of the closure, which unseats opening 26 and permits the contents to flow out through open- I ing 15".

From the descriptions of the difi'erent forms of my invention it is obvious that the opening 15 may be formed at the time of manufacture, or if desired, it could be formed by the puncturing of the member 13 by the ultimate consumer or user of the tube, and which process could with equal facility be also applied to opening 26 in the dovetail block 23, as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have designed a closure for collapsible tubes of simple yet scientific construction, of great adaptability, capable of automatically efiecting a hermetical seal without any wastage of the contents whether plastic or liquid, and manufacturable at a negligible cost.

Although in the foregoing, certain elements have been set forth as best adapted to perform the functions allotted to them, nevertheless, it is to be understood that various minor changes as to form, substance,

etc., may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, and without enumerating variations and equivalents, what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in the following claims:

1. A closure for colla sible tubesof resilient rubber or the like including a top portion having a slot, the abutting surfaces of the walls of the slot being formed with oppositely disposed nodules or extensions which when pressure is applied to the under surface of the closure the coacting nodules being brought into contact prevent the inner end of the slot closing but eflect opening of the outer end of said slot.

2. A closure for collapsible tubes of resilient rubber or thelike, including a top portion formed with an inwardly pro ecting thickened portion, having a slot therethrough, the abutting surfaces of the walls of the slot being formed with oppositely disposed nodules or extensions which when pressure is ap lied to the under surface of the closure t e coacting nodules being with the walls of said slot adapted for acting engagement when pressure is applied to the under surface of the closure to revent closing of the inner end and to e ect opening of the outer end of the slot.

4. A closurefor collapsible tubes including a flexible top formed with a thickened portion having a slot therethrough normally closed at its outer end to efi'ect an hermetical seal, the abutting surfaces of the walls of the slot being integrally formed with oppositely disposed extensions which when pressure is applied to the under surface of the closure the coacting extensions being brought into contact prevent the inner end of the slot completely closing and efiect opening of the outer end of said slot.

LOUIS J. ELSAS. 

